Nikki: Wild Dog of the North facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nikki:Wild Dog of the North |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Jack Couffer Don Haldane |
| Produced by | Winston Hibler |
| Screenplay by | Jack Couffer |
| Story by | Don Haldane |
| Starring | Jean Coutu Émile Genest Uriel Luft Robert Rivard Nikki Jacques Fauteux |
| Music by | Oliver Wallace Will Schaefer |
| Cinematography | William W. Bacon III Lloyd Beebe Jack Couffer Ray Jewell Donald Wilder |
| Editing by | Grant K. Smith |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | July 12, 1961 |
| Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Nikki: Wild Dog of the North is an exciting 1961 Walt Disney adventure film. It was directed by Jack Couffer and Don Haldane. The movie tells the story of a brave malamute dog named Nikki. It is based on a book called Nomads of the North by James Oliver Curwood.
Contents
Movie Story: Nikki's Adventures
Nikki and Neewa's Journey
The story begins in 1899 in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Nikki, a loyal dog, is traveling with his kind owner, Andre Dupas (Jean Coutu). They are exploring the wilderness by canoe. One day, Nikki meets a young black bear cub named Neewa. Sadly, Neewa's mother was lost to a large grizzly bear.
Andre decides to help the cub. He ties Nikki and Neewa together and puts them in his canoe. But then, something unexpected happens! The canoe goes through some fast-moving river rapids. Nikki and Neewa get separated from Andre. Now, these two unlikely friends must learn to survive all alone in the wild.
Surviving in the Wilderness
When they reach land, Nikki and Neewa face a big challenge. Dogs and bears are usually natural enemies. But they have to overcome their instincts to find food and shelter together. Even though they have many small disagreements, they slowly become good friends. Their leash eventually breaks, but they choose to stay together.
As winter arrives, Neewa, like all bears, goes into hibernation. Nikki is left to wander alone. He learns to find food by taking bait from animal traps. One day, a mean trapper named Jacques Lebeau (Émile Genest) catches Nikki. Lebeau has a reluctant helper named Makoki (Uriel Luft).
Nikki's New Challenge
Lebeau sees how strong Nikki is when the dog bravely fights off a wolf, even while caught in a trap. This gives Lebeau a bad idea. He decides to train Nikki to be a fighting dog. This kind of animal fighting is against the law.
Later, Andre, Nikki's original master, becomes a new official in the area. He challenges Lebeau for breaking the law. Lebeau pushes Andre into the pit with the powerful dog. But Nikki remembers his old master! Instead of fighting Andre, Nikki joins him. Together, they stand up to Lebeau. Lebeau is defeated in the struggle.
A Loyal Friend
After these events, Nikki stays with Andre. One day, while they are checking Andre's trap line, Nikki spots his old friend, Neewa. The bear is now fully grown. Nikki realizes that Neewa is happy living freely in the wild. Nikki chooses to stay by Andre's side, showing his loyalty.
Meet the Cast
- Nikki as Himself (the amazing dog)
- Jean Coutu as Andre Dupas (Nikki's kind master)
- Neewa as Himself (the bear cub)
- Émile Genest as Jacques Lebeau (the mean trapper)
- Uriel Luft as Makoki (Lebeau's helper)
- Robert Rivard as Durante
- Jacques Fauteux as Narrator (the voice telling the story)
